Earlier this year, the Texas Education Agency announced Sierra Blanca’s Independent School District was one of four districts in the state to have its accreditation revoked. The district, in rural west Texas, failed to meet the state’s academic standards for four years, and also struggled financially.

Now, Sierra Blanca ISD has a one-year extension to improve its academic standings. With the first round of standardized testing only months away, the district is in a race against the clock.

It’s lunchtime at Sierra Blanca ISD, where the campus’ faded red-brick building serves as the town’s elementary, middle and high schools.